Courtesy UVA Media Relations

On a day that saw Reagan Ennist rewrite the Virginia Volleyball record books, UVA prevailed in five sets (16-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 17-15) over Syracuse on Sunday afternoon at the Aquatic & Fitness Center.

In the win, Ennist racked up a Virginia freshman record 32 kills against Syracuse on Sunday. The 32 kills are the most by a Cavalier since Deanna Zwarich had 33 kills against Wake Forest in 2000. Ennist’s 32 kills came on 89 swings, which is a program record for attempts.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Set 1: Syracuse 25, Virginia 1
Following a 3-3 tie in the opening stages of the set, Syracuse built a lead on the heels of a 4-0 run. An Ennist kill brought the Cavaliers (8-6, 1-3 ACC) back within five points at 16-11. The Orange claimed the game with a 4-1 run that included a service ace at set point.

Set 2: Virginia 25, Syracuse 22
The visiting Orange (10-4, 2-2) opened the set by collecting eight of the first 12 points in the game. After a UVA timeout at 18-14, the Cavaliers kick-started their comeback with three consecutive points that included kills from Ennist and Kate Dean. Back-to-back service aces from Ennist put Virginia out front for good before Jasmine Robinson sealed the set with a solo block.

Set 3: Syracuse 25, Virginia 23
Sunday’s third set saw a match-high 13 ties and six different lead changes. A Hannah Scott service ace gave UVA an early 3-2 lead prior to Syracuse collecting five of the next seven points. Virginia answered with a run of its own as the Cavaliers strung together six consecutive points to regain an advantage at 12-9. The two teams battled to a 22-22 tie before Syracuse tallied three of the last four points to take the set.

Set 4: Virginia 25, Syracuse 22
The tug-of-war continued into the fourth set as the two squads played to a 15-15 tie. UVA forced an Orange timeout at 20-17 with a 4-0 run that was punctuated by Lauryn Bowie and Robinson teaming up for a block. An Ennist kill at set point handed the game to the Cavaliers and forced a fifth set.

Set 5: Virginia 17, Syracuse 15
After the opening point of the set went to Syracuse, Virginia strung together a 7-0 run that included four kills from Ennist. The Orange were not deterred as Syracuse went on a 6-0 run of its own to regain the lead at 9-8. UVA forced match point when Robinson and Sarah Brodner teamed up for a block. Syracuse bounded back with back-to-back points before Ennist put the Cavaliers over the top with her final two kills of the match.

ADDITIONAL NOTES 

• Ennist’s 32 kills on the afternoon are the fifth-most ever by a Cavalier in a single match.
• Zooey Dood tallied a career-high 25 assists in the contest.
• From the service line, Meredith Reeg collected a career-high three service aces.
• On the defensive side, Jasmine Robinson had a career-high nine total blocks.

WITH THE WIN …

• UVA improves to 3-1 in five-set matches this season.
• Virginia moves to 11-6 against Syracuse. The Cavaliers have won three consecutive matches over the Orange for just the second time in program history and for the first time since 1992-2003.

UP NEXT

The Cavaliers will hit the road for the first time in ACC play next weekend as Virginia travels to Notre Dame on Friday and No. 6 Louisville on Sunday. Both matches will be streamed on ACCNX.